Moccia Criticizes Garfunkel on Police Department Statement

Editor's note: Andrew S. Garfunkel on Monday afternoon to Mayor Moccia.

Mayor Richard A. Moccia says his Democratic challenger, Andrew S. Garfunkel, isn't giving the current city brass enough credit.

Gurfunkel says his desire to consider candidates outside of the department as well as inside only means that he wants the best candidate for the job.

Moccia, a candidate for re-election, points to Garfunkel's campaign website, which says the candidate pledges to "conduct a national search immediately upon election for a chief of police who will develop and implement programs to reduce crime."

That wording, according to Moccia, "implies that this department is in disarray and has not done a good job." There's no reason why the city shouldn't hire a candidate from within the department, he said. "We have many qualified men and women in this department that can advance through the ranks."

Asked about Moccia's comment, Garfunkel said, "I'm not implying that I'm attacking the police chief in this case. I'm looking to the future of Norwalk."

Police Chief Harry W. Rilling has said he intends to step down from the job by the end of next year. His timing would allow Deputy Chief Thomas Kulhawik finish an F.B.I. training course in 2012 prior to applying for the chief's position, as Kulhawik is expected to do.

"It's done a fine job," Moccia said of the Police Department. "We have a fine deputy chief, and we have other fine officers."

Moccia is expected to be endorsed by the Republican Town Committee at its convention on Thursday. Garfunkel, the town clerk, is the only Democratic candidate for mayor and is expected to be endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee on Monday, July 25.

In addition to calling for a nationwide search for a police chief, Garfunkel states on his campaign website:

As Mayor I will:

• Ensure the Norwalk Police Department has the necessary funds and resources they need to combat and put an end to the gun-related crime that is currently afflicting our city
• Partner with the Police and the community to create a framework in which residents can come forward with information
• Strengthen and expand gang prevention and anti-bullying programs in the Norwalk School System

Moccia's campaign website addresses crime with this statement:

We said we would tackle the crime and gang problem…and we have.   We didn't "sweep it under the rug"  We have taken action by adding school resource officers as well additional officers on the street. The job is not complete. We continue to take an agressive stance against all criminal activites in the city.

Moccia said the Police Department has been doing a good job despite difficult times.

"We understand that we have crime issues, but our police deparment has addressed them well. We do a good job. We're no different from any other city: When the economy goes down, crime goes up."